A Resident’s Questions — and Answers — on the Override
We’ve heard from many residents who are carefully weighing this decision. Below is one thoughtful exchange, with responses provided by Mark Gosselin, Co-Chair of Save South Hadley, reflecting the kinds of questions many people are asking as they decide how to vote.
On Proposition 2½ and the Override Process
I am happy we have the 2.5% limit as it restricts politicians from hitting us every year with uncontrolled increases. Override votes, which force town members to engage and discuss the issues, are a better route I feel.
You’re absolutely right that the 2.5% cap protects residents from unchecked annual increases. The override process is intentionally difficult—it forces the town to justify the need publicly and gives voters full control. That’s exactly what is happening now.
On State Aid
State aid is a sore subject. I believe there is so much waste at every level of the state (not local) government. They cannot get their act together, making necessary cuts and improvements to efficiencies, which could offset cuts in town aid—so why are we asked to pick up the slack?
I couldn’t agree more. Unfortunately, South Hadley has no control over state budgeting. What we do see is the impact: state aid has been flat or declining for years, even as mandated costs like special education, transportation, and health insurance continue to rise.
The Budget Task Force concluded that this mismatch is one of the core drivers of the crisis we’re facing.
On Charter Schools and School Choice
$3M+ to charter/school choice—please detail how that number is arrived at. It implies there must be a huge number of South Hadley students who choose other avenues for education.
The $3M+ figure comes directly from the state formula. When a student attends a charter school or chooses another district, the state charges South Hadley a per-pupil tuition—often $10,000 to $20,000 per year.
The number of students leaving is not enormous, but the per-student cost is high. Even when the state provides partial reimbursement, the net cost to the town remains significant.
The problems we are facing are not unique to South Hadley. Many Western Massachusetts communities like Granby, Amherst, and Belchertown face similar financial challenges.
On Health Insurance
Health insurance—Is that 40% increase over last FY? How much of that cost is premiums vs. actual health costs? I am baffled, especially if it is premiums. My employer works diligently every year and we’ve never seen double-digit increases in 30 years. I strongly suspect insurers dealing with towns feel they can demand higher costs since taxpayers are footing the bill.
The 40% increase did occur in a single year, which understandably raised concerns. That spike came through the Hampshire County Group Insurance Trust, which provides coverage for many municipalities in the region.
Corrective actions have since been taken to stabilize costs, and increases of that size are not expected to repeat. However, the town is still anticipating annual increases in the range of 15% to 20% going forward.
Municipal insurance operates differently than private-sector plans. Towns participate in a regional risk pool, where costs are driven by claims across all member communities—not just local usage. This can help spread risk, but it also limits the ability to negotiate the way private employers can.
The Budget Task Force identified health insurance as a major cost driver, and while long-term strategies are being explored, they won’t address the immediate FY27 budget gap.
On Fire Districts
Fire districts—there’s a touchy subject. I feel we hold on to this antiquated system for political reasons, and no matter if it saves $1 or $1M, it is time we become one town. That aside, we’re reminded those taxes aren’t part of the override—so what increases should we expect from each district on top of this?
You’re right—it is a touchy subject. Because fire districts are independent taxing authorities, their budgets and tax rates are separate from the town’s.
The override does not affect district taxes, and district taxes do not affect the override. Any future increases from a district would be unrelated to this vote.
On the Ballot Questions
I can’t help but feel how the ballot questions are presented is intended to manipulate the outcome. Why couldn’t the choices simply be 9M, 11M, or No? Why split them up?
The format of the ballot is set by state law. When multiple override amounts are proposed, they must be listed separately.
Voters can choose the amount they support, and the highest amount that receives a majority becomes the override. It’s not intended to manipulate outcomes—just to comply with the legal structure.
The $9 million and $11 million options came from the Budget Task Force, and the Selectboard chose to include both after public input.
On Town Hall
When I drive by Town Hall, I never see many people there. Has there been any study of daily traffic or reasons for visits? In this day and age, I’d guess most things could be handled by phone or email. What real, quantifiable impact would a four-day Town Hall week have? And isn’t Town Hall already closed on Fridays in the summer?
You’re correct—Town Hall is closed on Fridays during the summer.
The concern with further reductions is not just public access—it’s the town’s ability to carry out core functions. Staff are responsible for processing permits, scheduling and conducting inspections, running payroll, administering benefits, and handling essential day-to-day operations that keep the town running.
Even today, delays can happen—for example, waiting for an inspector to be available for work on a home. With fewer staff and reduced hours, those delays would likely become more frequent and more significant.
The Budget Task Force found that South Hadley is already understaffed compared to similar towns. Additional cuts would impact both service levels and response times.
On Schools
On the site it mentions we want “good schools.” I’d suggest we aim for great schools. My grandson is in kindergarten and I’m thrilled with his experience—he’s thriving and loves school.
I’m with you—we should absolutely be aiming for great schools.
Without an override, the cuts outlined in the FY27 budget are severe and specific: elimination of all sports, all after-school activities, music programs, and 15 student-facing positions. These are not hypothetical—they are the documented cuts required to balance the budget.
Recovery from cuts of that scale would take years, if it’s possible at all.
On Affordability
I’ve been tightening my belt for months—cutting everything I can and still just getting by. I know the town is in a tough spot, but we all are. With so much uncertainty and rising costs everywhere, it’s hard to knowingly put myself into a tighter situation.
I hear you. Many families—including my own—are in the same position.
The difficult truth is that the town is also facing rising costs, and years of cuts have left no remaining “easy” reductions.
The Budget Task Force found that without new revenue, the town will enter a cycle of annual cuts that reduce services, impact schools, and ultimately make South Hadley less affordable over time.
On Language and Trust
When I keep seeing words like “may,” “might,” or “could,” I become skeptical. Too often, at the state and federal level, we hear warnings about deep cuts that never actually happen.
I share that skepticism.
What I can say here is that the cuts being discussed are not speculative—they are the exact reductions required to close the budget without an override.
Final Thoughts
I’ve been a South Hadley resident for 25 years and want the town to succeed. I won’t decide how I’m voting until I’ve gathered all the information I can. I do appreciate your group’s approach—putting information out there and encouraging open dialogue rather than relying on rhetoric.
We really appreciate that. These are exactly the kinds of conversations the override process is meant to encourage—thoughtful, informed, and grounded in real questions.